Melbourne Meteors Season Preview

[Bob_Meteors]

MELBOURNE, Australia: It's Opening Day in the IBL! And it's also time for in-depth season previews. The Melbourne Meteors look like a scary team heading into the regular season.

Starting Rotation

Melbourne's starting rotation got much, much, much better during the offseason, including adding 4 star starters. When fully healthy, only one starter from last year is in this rotation.
Notable additions: Andy Stone, Andy Stone, Abdeljilil Abedi, Ronald Poe, Alfred Reeves, Janardan Shreerang
Notable departures- Yami Salehe, Janardan Shreerang, Andy Stone

Andy Stone- We all remember the Andy Stone Saga. He was acquired from the Mumbai Cobras, then immediately opted out of his contract and became a free agent. After signing with the Black Forest Foxes, he was traded to the Meteors. Stone, the ace of the Meteors who went 10-3 with a 3.34 ERA last season, looks to continue his dominance. More importantly, Stone has to stay healthy. He's struggled with arm injuries in the past, and is considered an injury risk this season.

Abdeljilil Abedi- Another star acquired from Mumbai, Abedi took a big step up this spring. Only 26 years old, he could be a force in the Meteors' rotation for years to come, and could even be an ace this year in the event of an injury.

Kvana Datar- Melbourne's ace from last season, Datar looks to take a step up. Last year his ERA was 3.94, up from 5.55 2 years ago. If he can improve, he could win 15 games easily.

Alfred Reeves- Reeves was the Meteors' last significant pickup. Last year his ERA was 3.73, and despite going just 4-7, he struck out 101 over 118 1/3 innings. As a #4 starter, Reeves should aim for about 10 wins.

Nasih bin Kamil- bin Kamil was initially slated to be in the bullpen this season. However, poor springs by Imre Maxa and Bob Pérez have given him the starting job. He won 15 games last season despite a 5.84 ERA.

Ronald Poe- Only a week after being acquired by Melbourne, Poe partially tore his UCL. Team doctors are projecting a return around mid-August to early September. When healthy, Poe could potentially be an ace for Melbourne. His ERA last year was just 3.42.

Bullpen

Largely unchanged from last season, Melbourne's bullpen is very solid, both at the top and in long-relief situations.
Notable additions: Jesus Mercado, Manny Juarez
Notable departures: Manny Juarez

Magtanggol Baladad- Despite reportedly being on the trading block, Baladad has remained in Melbourne for another season. He looks to continue his dominance as the closer.

Jesús Mercado- Acquired in Santo Domingo's utter meltdown impressively rapid rebuild, Mercado was going to be the closer in the event of Baladad being traded. He will be used as a setup man in the 8th inning.

Bob Pérez- Pérez definitely has the stuff to be a good starter someday, but a rocky spring has led the Meteors to think he might need one more year. He will be used as a 7th inning reliever, and possibly in the 6th if necessary.

Bereket Ainran- Ainran has been a solid reliever for Black Forest, and played well in 3 games after being traded for by Melbourne. His only question mark is his age: at 35, people have wondered whether his decline might be starting.

Hajjaj bin Dabir- bin Dabir was not expected to be significant at all to the Meteors. However, a strong spring convinced the coaches to let him have some time in the bullpen.

Imre Maxa- Most people assumed Maxa would be the 5th starter, but a terrible spring led him to be replaced by Nasih bin Kamil. However, he reportedly could see some time starting, as well as a virtually guaranteed spot in the rotation if someone is injured.

Yoshida Yamada- After starting a few games last year, some people expected to see Yamada this year. But a poor spring combined with a dominant staff have led Melbourne to place him at triple-A for a while. He might be called up if there is a need.

Infield

The Meteors acquired a bunch of "starting second basemen" this offseason, but seem to be starting 3 people from last year.
Notable additions: Yoshimasa Kimura, Édouard Renaud
Notable departures: Itri Jela

Anwar Muneer- After taking a huge step up in 2109, Muneer looks to hold on to his skills from last season. He hit .287 with 14 home runs.

Sasha Matyushenko- The seemingly ageless Matyushenko, now 38, appeared to be done producing, but a good spring has allowed him to keep his backup job, where he will be playing about once a week.

Endres Bäumer- After hitting .294 last season, Bäumer looks to continue his successes. He might be used as a backup utility INF if the need arises.

Mike Spears- Acquired just one week ago, nobody is sure what to make of Spears. He's the backup 2B/SS for now, but could have a starting job if he performs well.

Bing-zhong Lao- Lao was acquired to be a starting second baseman. But after a terrible spring, he has been demoted to triple-A. He could be called up soon, though.

Tamirat Sifiye- Sifiye hit .336 last season, and over .340 the year before. He's also just 26, so the future looks bright for the shortstop. He will be starting most games for Melbourne.

Yoshimasa Kimura- Recently acquired from Singapore (now Shanghai), Kimura hit .309 last season. He has the starting job at third base until further notice.

Édouard Renaud- Acquired the same day Itri Jela was traded, Renaud looks to impress his new fans. Many are concerned that despite high ratings, Renaud's batting average has been less than impressive this spring.

Reomel Sapo- Sapo is the backup catcher. He's shown flickers of potential but nothing solid, so he's not likely to get much playing time this season (barring injuries).

Outfield

Many moves have been made involving this Meteors outfield, but in the end, it remains largely the same as last year, without Dwijen.
Notable additions: Tiago Celestino
Notable departures: Bhuvanacandra Dwijen

Gong Jiang- Jiang solidified his job as the starter with a good spring. He, like all of Melbourne's outfielders, will be given lots of time off as the subs are allowed to play.

Percy Oskam- Oskam was a big surprise this spring. He stole a starting job out from under Ze-min Tsao's nose. However, he will probably play in about 2 of every 3 games.

Stéphane Salomon- Salomon didn't play well this spring, but was given the starting job anyway. He might play only 4 out of every 6 games.

Ze-min Tsao- Tsao seemingly had a starting role locked up, but stellar spring play from Oskam relegated Tsao to a backup role. He will play in left and center, and will probably see action 2 of every 5 games.

Botol Gamarra- Gamarra is only 25, so he has time to improve, but he played poorly this spring. He will see action once a week, but possibly more if he does well.

Tiago Celestino- Acquired in the first Andy Stone deal, Celestino seems to be little more than a place-holder. He will play every 4 games at RF, and also potentially a little bit at first base.

There you have it. In one of the toughest IBL seasons ever, Melbourne looks poised to compete for the championship.

Marcus Crater and Jill Impact contributed to this report.